The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-11-16
The Execution.

CHICAGO, November l1.-lh6 tOur andf-
chists August Spies, Albert r. Parsons,
Geo Engel and Adolph Fischer, were
hanged at the county jail at ll:59 this
noon There was an absence of many
Of the usual formalities on the
scaffold The sheriff read the death war
rants to the men in the library before lead
ing them to the gallows, where they per-
ished miserably for their participation in
the Haymarket tragedy. Before midnight
and while the anarchists we're either sleep
ing or feigning sleep, the galiows were put
up They are the ones used in the execu-
ton of Mulslxowsky and the three Italians.
About one o'clock they were tested, just
as had been done in the case of the Ital-
ians, and were found to operate without
any hindrance. The ropes were of excel
lent quality and secured to the best advan
tage. At l o'clock a. M. there was abso-
lutely nothing undone. A wagon had
been driven up to the jail some time be
fore and four coffins we've taken out and
deposited in the basement adjoining the
kitchen. That was the very last prepara
tion for the impending tragedy. The men
to be executed slept. Two guards watch
cd the slumber of each of the doomed men.
From midnight forward till daybreak 81
lence reigned in the Jail. At just 800
o'clock Spies, who had completed his last
meal, called for writing material, which
we're brought to him. Breakfast was
served to the condemned men at exactly
7:30 a. m. At 9:10 a. m. Chief Deputy
authorizing the execution. About 81
o'clock a bailiff came in and told the sher
if that Mrs. Parsons desired admission to
see her husband, but the sheriff could not
permit her to come in at that time. At
the same time a letter was received at the
Jail postmarked New York and addressed
Brothers Spies, Lingg and Comrades,
Chicago Jail, and one from Madison, Wis,
addressed to the condemned anarchists.
Both letters were sent to the men.
At 945 a crowd of women dressed in
deep mourning, accompanied by two chill
dren also in black, marched down Clark
street to the ropes across Michigan street, |
and asked the officer at Michigan street |
to be allowed to go into the jail. The
crowd included Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Engel,
Mrs. Fischer, Lingg's sweetheart, Mrs.
Holmes, Miss Herr, Miss Spies and num-
her of their friends; the children were
the son and daughter Of A. r. Parsons.
The policeman told them his orders were
that they could not advance, and they
moved on to Illinois street, where they re
peated their demand to Capt. Hubbard |
and Lieut.. Fitzpatrick. The same thing
was told them. At 10 o'clock two tele-
graphic dispatches were taken to Parsons.
Just as they were taken in, the sound of a
voice singing in gutteral tone broke up
on the ears of those gathered in the office.
In an instant all was still as death. The
voice was that of Fischer, and he was
standing at his cell door singing the
"Marseillaise' with all the strength of his
powerful voice. There was a smile upon
his face, as that of a man who was enter
ing heart and soul into the sentiments of
the words he was singing.
The sheriff headed the procession to the
scatfold with Jailer Fales behind him with
one Of the prisoners. Deputy Sheriffs
Calvin, Spears and Cleyel followed each |
With doomed man in charge. At 9:2O
Sheriff Mattheson arranged guard
around the scaffold with Deputy Capellin ;
charge. The sheriff gave the word and
the procession started for the gallows.
Moving down the south corridor to the
east end and then turning to the left
mounted the gallows steps. The mentook
their places under the four nooses The !
ropes were quickly adjusted by the depu- |
ties and the caps drawn. The hands of
The prisoners had been previously securely
fastened behind them according tothe us
ual custom. When all was ready Sheriff
Aattheson gave the signal, which. many
,alled to see. The drop fell at 1859 Q. M
Flscher cried while the moose was being
Hed; Long live anarchy; long live an
archy."